As far as games go, I can't really say I've seen an example of VA that was bad... but I could totally understand how it would annoy some people. I remember Dragon Quest VIII, all the actors seem to talk really slow so a young/slow reader could follow along, I'm assuming they really made that game for kids in the US?

I can't really say I have a preference for what I hear first, either. I know you're all dropping really esoteric or iconic anime series' which are good examples of translation, but I watched Gundam Wing as a kid and in the last year watched it in Japanese - I think they both have their own strengths.